Dried red chili flakes are a good source of antioxidants. They help fight oxidative stress in the body, promote overall health and are good sources of Vitamins A, B, and C. 100 grams of red chili flakes have approximately 6.4 calories. It contains 0.1 grams of fat (none are saturated) and 1.4 grams of carbohydrates. Additionally, it contains 0.8 grams of sugar. Crushed red chili flakes contain less than a teaspoon of calories, making them a healthy snack for those watching their caloric intake. To know more about dried red chili nutrition facts, read further.
Capsaicin, a phytochemical noted for its strong, peppery flavor, is abundant in dried red chili. A burning sensation is produced when this bioactive plant component interacts with pain receptors on nerve endings. Chili peppers’ heat may not suit everyone, and excessive ingestion might desensitize pain receptors. Capsaicin’s high concentration may impair taste perception and make pain receptors in the body unresponsive to other types of pain. Healthy consumption of chili peppers, on the other hand, may help a person regulate pain and lose weight.
Dried Red Chili Nutrition Facts
What is Exactly Dry Chilli?
Whole or powdered dried red chilies can be utilized. India produces the reddest chiles in the world. it is red and can be eaten whole or ground into a powder. It’s pretty spicy, with the heat concentrated in the seeds. Fresh red chiles are milder than dried red chilies. Typically, red chilies are pounded into a powder and used as a spice. They are dried or pickled to store red chilies for an extended period. It’s a common element in Indian curries and cuisines.
Red chilies are also commonly used to make sauces, then utilized to spice up other cuisines.
If red chilies or red chili powder come into contact with the eyes, they can cause lasting damage and, in some circumstances, blindness.
What are the Health Benefits of Red Chilli?
Dried red chili is frequently used in pepper form, and it is incredibly nutritious and has numerous health benefits, as we have shown above. The health advantages of dried red chili are listed below.
Helps in Digestion
The release of gastric juices is improved by dried red chile, which speeds up digestion and relieves constipation and gas. It also keeps your intestines healthy by reducing dangerous germs in your gut. Because of these qualities, it has become a staple in almost every cuisine.
Maintains Blood Pressure Levels
Red chilies, as well as their powder, are high in potassium. Potassium relaxes your blood vessels and helps keep your blood pressure in check. They also include capsaicin, which lowers blood pressure and promotes circulation. Red chili powder derived from high-quality chilies, such as the one from Modern Agro, has higher capsaicin.
Anti-Inflammatory
The capsaicin found in dried red chili also has anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it reduces inflammation and pain, particularly in muscles and joints.
Helps in Weight Loss
Red chili powder is well-known for its weight-loss properties. Capsaicin, found in red chilies, is responsible for this once again, as it suppresses appetite and boosts fat burning by increasing the body’s metabolism.
Improves Cognitive Function
Iron in dried red chilies helps to boost hemoglobin production and blood flow. As a result, the brain performs better in learning, reasoning, remembering, problem-solving, decision-making, and attention.
Improves Heart Health
Capsaicin, a wonder component found in red chilies, helps to promote heart health by lowering triglycerides, cholesterol, and platelet aggregation in the blood. It also helps avoid blood clots, which is beneficial to heart health.
It helps in Nasal Congestion
When you have a cold, red chili powder can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages, making it easier to clear out. Doctors and experts recommend eating spicy dishes and drinking soups with red chili powder when you have a cold.
Builds Immunity and Fights Diseases
Vitamin C, abundant in dried red chili, improves the immune system and aids in the battle against infections and disorders. It also aids in the reduction of free radicals in the body and the prevention of cancer.
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How Hot are Dried Chilis?
Because there are so many various types of chilis, the heat levels will vary. According to The Spruce Eats, six common dried chiles include ancho and Mulato, chiles de Arbol and chiles secos, chipotle, pasilla, and pecans. On the other hand, the heat of dried and fresh chillis may be similar.
While both dried and fresh peppers can be similarly fiery, the true answer to the question of which is hotter is based on science. Capsaicin is an alkaloid component that gives hot peppers their spiciness. According to PepperScale, the higher the concentration, the hotter the chili.
Dried chilies have a higher concentration of capsaicin than fresh chiles because they are more mature (via PepperScale). Different types of chiles will have varying degrees of heat.
The Scoville heat unit scale is used to measure heat (SHU). The SHU of a jalapeno pepper is 5,000, and a mulato chile is around half that but still hotter than an ancho chili. The SHU of chiles de Arbol ranges from 15,000 to 30,000. Chipotle chilies have a Scoville heat index of 5,000 to 10,000. According to The Spruce Eats, pasilla chilies have a heat level of 1,000 to 2,000 SHU, whereas pequn chiles have a 40,000 to 60,000 SHU heat level.
How do You, Dry Chiles?
If you want to learn how to dry these yourself, don’t worry; it’s a relatively straightforward process! Granted, dried chile peppers are readily available in supermarkets or at a Mexican grocery store. There is a fair variety of options regardless of which path you take.
Get some fresh chiles from the shop — any variety will do. Clean them with water once you get home and pat them dry. You can either hang them to dry or lay them on a plate or wire rack in a dry, well-ventilated room. However, this is not a quick process, and according to Chili Pepper Madness, it can take weeks.
If you don’t want to wait that long, the oven approach is available. The procedure begins with the same steps: wash, wash, wash! Cut them in half and set them on a baking pan after that. Preheat the oven to 135 degrees Fahrenheit and bake them. You’ll have to toss them about a lot and watch them until they’re the texture and moisture you want (via Chili Pepper Madness).
How to Cook with Dried Chilis?
Let’s go into how you can cook with these hotties if the heat doesn’t deter you. As you can see, there’s a lot to choose from. So knowing which ones are ideal for what can help you master some authentic Mexican meals. Starting with ancho and Mulato chile peppers, these pretty intense chile peppers are best used in sauces like enchiladas (via The Spruce Eats). To make these, soak them in boiling water for 10 minutes, then remove the seeds and chop them into pieces. After that, you’ll combine them with other components such as water, garlic, onion, dried oregano, and cumin.
According to The Spruce Eats, chiles de Arbol and chiles secos are cooked similarly and are commonly used to flavor and heat stews, soups, and sauces. Chipotle chiles are more commonly used since they are dried, although they are also available in cans, handier. They are, in fact, a key component of adobo sauce.
Pasilla chiles are spicy, although not as much as the others. Because they have a more delicate flavor, adding them to a stew or thick sauce will assist in balancing the dish. You can load them with cheese as well! Finally, we have the super fiery pequn chiles, which are best enjoyed by incorporating into a sauce or stew to avoid overdoing the intensity.
Potential Downsides of Dried Red Chilli
Dried red chili may have adverse effects on some individuals, and many people do not like its burning sensation.
- Chili peppers are famous for their fiery, smoky flavor. Capsaicin, which binds to pain receptors and generates an intense burning sensation, is to blame. As a result, pepper sprays include the chemical oleoresin capsicum derived from chili peppers.
- Eating chili can cause intestinal distress in some people. The symptoms may include abdominal pain, a burning sensation in your gut, cramps, and painful diarrhea.
- Cancer is a dangerous disease in which cells develop abnormally, and chili’s anti-cancer benefits are controversial. Capsaicin, a plant chemical found in chili peppers, has been shown to enhance or decrease cancer risk in test tubes and animals.
- Chili peppers are not suitable for everyone. They trigger a burning sensation and may cause stomach pain and diarrhea in some individuals. Some studies associate chili consumption with increased cancer risk.
Conclusion
Fresh red chili, which comes in flakes, is used in cooking to add heat. Chilli peppers are generally smaller than those used in hot sauce, which intensifies their spicy taste. Chilli peppers, in general, contain a high ratio of seeds to the flesh, making them hotter. You can add a few dried red chili flakes to your dishes or sprinkle them on top of your favorite fried potato chips.
Dried chili is a staple ingredient in many Asian and African dishes and is commonly used in curry powder. In South India, dried chilies are often soaked in yogurt and dried in the sun. Capsaicin, the main bioactive compound in chilies, causes mouth irritation and a burning sensation. So, it is advisable to wash and rinse fresh chilies thoroughly before cooking, and this will ensure that they are clean and free of fungicides.
